Obama In Limbo Over 'Almost Nominee' Status

The contest with Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton not quite over and the one with Senator John McCain not quite under way, Senator Barack Obama is floating somewhere between the two major phases of his long campaign -- a political limbo that brought him to this Republican hamlet on the night of a West Virginia primary he was expected to lose.

Even as Mr. Obama prepared to suffer one of his worst defeats of the primary season on Tuesday, aides said his lead in delegates and in the popular vote had him feeling like a winner. And his visit here with garment workers in a district that President Bush swept in 2004 was an intended show of strength, with Mr. Obama affecting the manner of a general election nominee raiding opposition territory, the birthplace of Rush Limbaugh no less.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[pupbayer]

This is the most appropriate headline I think I've seen on this site.. Obama is a winner and he is not the nominee yet.

[paganmist]

Dear Obama supporters:

Being an enterprising Obama supporter myself, I decided to look into this new claim that "no Democratic President has won without West Virginia since 1916." I went to Dave Leip's site here:

http://uselectionatlas.org/

[paganmist]

(cont)

He has detailed maps of states won and which party won them dating all the way back to 1824.

It turns out that the Clintonistas are correct. No Democratic President has won without West Virginia since 1916. They use this as proof-in-point that Hillary Clinton is destined to become President.

Well here is my gift to you:

Turns out that no Democratic President has won without Minnesota since 1916, either. And any rational person can agree that the population of Minnesota is 10 times as representative of the United States than West Virginia is.

So the next time you hear someone cite that useless piece of information, feel free to point out that Obama won Minnesota. If you're feeling very cheeky, don't forget to mention that MN carries 5 more electoral votes than WV.

Have fun!

[Marrob]

"Feeling like the winner but not yet the nominee"...no s***!! He is winning the game right now and won't be the nominee until he has won it. 2025...keep going.

[MPCarr]

Obama will need to wear his magic flag lapel pin more often.

[antaeus]

The headline "Feeling Like a Winner but not a Nominee" has it backwards. He is emerging as the likely nominee in the eyes of many, certainly among the MSM, but he's been an unconvincing loser in crucial general-election states. OH, PA, WV. Sure, it _might_ just be an interesting fact to point out that no Dem has won the White House since 1916 without West Virginia. Then again, it might be an ominous sign of things to come.

No OH, no PA, no WV, probably no FL. Few swing blue-collar Dems (the ones who truly are swing). Weakness among Jews and women.

He should feel like a certain nominee but a likely loser.

[ApolloniaCreed]

It's the end of the electoral map as we know it... and suprisingly, I feel fine.

[antaeus]

I will believe it when I see it.

Until then it's pie-in-the-sky wishing.

[Tommygun264]

Among the general population (not just Democrats) Hillary Clinton has the highest negative rating of any other candidate at +60%. Furthermore, your argument that Senator Obama can't carry key states such as OH and PA in the general election just because he didn't win in the primaries only holds up if you assume that everyone who didn't vote for him in the Primary will either vote for John McSame or not vote at all in the general election, which is ridiculous. Even if you deduct the 25% to 30% of Clinton supporters who claim they will either stay home or vote Republican rather than vote for Obama, the number of remaining registered Democrats who voted in the primaries still outnumber the registered Republicans who voted in the primaries, thus suggesting the Democratic candidate will prevail in the general election regardless of whether it is Clinton or Obama.

As far as your statistic that no Democratic candidate has taken the White House without winning West Virginia since 1916, statistics also show that no candidate - Republican or Democrat - has been elected President without being a white male. So following your logic, the statistics prove that neither Hillary Clinton nor Barack Obama stand a chance of being elected President.

Keep slinging stuff - eventually something might stick.

[antaeus]

I'm not engaged in "slinging" anything, I hope. I'm a thoughtful Democrat who was real misgivings about the viability of an African-American candidate in key states in a general election. Period.

Obama might carry PA, but it's been trending Republican lately. But there are real doubts about OH, which makes the choice of Strickland seem all the more likely.

[Mogamboguru]

OUCH! This hurts -

from Washington Post Online:

"This Is an Ex-Candidate"

Excerpt:

"2:57 p.m., Yeager Airport, Charleston, W.Va.: A steep descent brings Clinton's plane to Charleston's hilltop airport. After an appropriate wait, she steps from the plane and pretends to wave to a crowd of supporters; in fact, she is waving to 10 photographers underneath the airplane's wing. She pretends to spot an old friend in the crowd, points and gives another wave; in fact, she is waving at an aide she had been talking with on the plane minutes earlier."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/13/AR2008051302862.html?hpid=topnews
(Note: Copy and paste in your browser. Clicking won't do.)

BAND-AID, PLEASE!

[Tommygun264]

Obviously you don't believe in Hillary. If you clap your hands, stamp your feet, cross your eyes and squint really hard you can see the throngs of adoring fans not visible to those smarty-pants non-believers who are so smug with all their reality based facts and figures. Hillary is the clear winner! She's also the real Queen of England and can make herself invisible as long as no one is looking directly at her.

[Marrob]

2025 is just around the corner Obama. And I say this as a Hillary Clinton supporter. You need to beat her and show you can cross the finish line. This isn't like your Illinois Senate races, you'll have to beat a real contendor for this one.;-)

[paganmist]

Marrob! I am really very pleased by this comment, and I'm not sure why. I think it is because you're exhibiting an ability to acknowledge that both candidates are qualified, which is pretty rare. And you're doing so while remaining loyal to your candidate.

Dare I imagine that you're one of the fearfully few Clinton supporters who plans on voting Democrat no matter who wins? If so, welcome to the fold!

Not the Obama fold, but the Democrat fold. We need to stick together if we're going to win the veto in November.

[noneIn2008]

Now is time for Obama to exit with grace. The Presidency will then be his 2016 and 2020. Sixteen years of Democratic Presidents. Nice long term plan. Are you so short term blinded in your evangelism that you're willing to sacrifice it all to take a long shot now. You say "NO it is not a long shot". You're deluding yourselves.

Obama loses swing voters in swing states. Hillary takes them. It means nothing to Democrats to win Illinois, California etc.,Dem states. The difference is in Florida, Ohio, Pen, WV.......

Obama has not been vetted. You ain't seen nothin yet. Remember Fitzgerald will indict a string of Illinois Democrats this fall. Even if Obama is clean, it will be guilt by association. The Republicans are famed for September & October surprise. Hillary has been fully vetted for 16+ years. You name it, she has been accused of it. Obama is an open target for the fall. It will be ugly.

Follow you're Obama illusion, then come back in November, after he loses, whining that the election was stolen. It will not be stolen, it will be given away, again. Remember Gore and Kerry. How many elections do the Dems need to give away.

Yet, some insist on going ahead to another defeat, turning over the White House to McCain. Obama can exit with grace for the long term good of the party and country, or he can stick this out to hand over the White House to McCain.

[Sabreen60]

ROTFLMAO!!!!

[noneIn2008]

November, whining "they stole it"

[hussein]

Nebraska. Obama beats Clinton by a margin of 35 points the sparsely attended caucus in Feb, but only by 2 points in the heavily attended primary yesterday. Nobody talks about it.

Nevada. Clinton wins popular vote in the caucus, Obama gets more delegates. Imagine what the margin will be had Nevada held a primary instead of a caucus.

Texas. Clinton wins the primary of 2.8 million people, but on the same day, Obama wins the caucus of 1 million people by 10 points. This results in Obama netting more delegates.

Iowa. According to entrance polls, Clinton comes in second in the popular vote. In fact, Obama, Clinton and Edwards were separated by 5 points. But, Clinton comes in third in the delegate count. Minor candidates are virtually nonexistent.

Washington. Obama wins caucus by 30 points, yet loses the primary, which more people participated in, by 5 points.

Conclusions:
1. Obama's victories are hollow and unrepresentative of what he will do in Nov.
2. Caucuses are undemocratic that does not give a maximum share of the electorate to voice their opinions and should be abolished for good.
3. Clinton is clearly the stronger candidate. Let the democrats nominate Obama to their own undoing in Nov.

[northeast73]

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

His supporters need to look at the numbers.

Obama hasnt won with voters (except blacks) since FEBRUARY.

The scandals have PERMANENTLY DAMAGED HIM.

[NCRESIDENT]

I'm sorry to let you know this but the blacks are the minority which means they are outnumbered by whites, hispanics, and other nationalities. If he only won with the black votes can you please let me know when they became the majority. What they are not telling you is that although Obama is getting 92% of the black vote the white for him is outnumbering the black votes. So if you got numbers that prove blacks became the majority overnight please put them up so that I can see it.

[mesuki]

Get out of here with your pessimism ! you're forgetting a couple of things....this country is in a bloody war,republicans have jacked up the economy,and the country is going downhill real fast.If Americans decide to choose McCain over Obama because of racism or this crap of guilt by association...you know what ? more power to them,because things will only get worse,and I'll just sit back and watch with rest of the world how racism and stupidity brings this country into a state of collapse.

[Mogamboguru]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/13/AR2008051302862_2.html?hpid=topnews

From Washington Post Online:

"This Is an Ex-Candidate"

Excerpt:

11:45 a.m., Melrose Hotel, Foggy Bottom: It's Day 7 of the Clinton Campaign Death Watch -- a full week since the official arbiter of the Democratic primary, Tim Russert, declared the campaign over and Barack Obama the nominee. Hillary Clinton's advisers continue to insist that the candidate's prospects are very much alive, but the press isn't buying it. Exhibit A: There are two press buses waiting at the hotel here for Clinton's trip to her victory rally in West Virginia, but the entire press contingent doesn't quite fill one. It isn't until the entourage arrives at Dulles Airport that Clinton aides learn that the second bus is still idling, empty, at the hotel.

If there is importance in the results of the primary in West Virginia, the press corps isn't letting on. During the security sweep at Dulles, some play Hacky Sack with a cigarette carton. Awaiting the candidate on the tarmac, two guys from CNN toss a football. Aboard the plane, one member of the press corps entertains his colleagues by flopping down the aisle on his belly, like a fish.

[paganmist]

None in 2008 - your name makes me curious. Who do you plan on voting for?

You're well-spoken and your reasoning is sound, so I believe that you're intelligent enough to realize that the only way any Democratic candidate will win is if all Democrats line up behind him or her. It doesn't matter of the Democrats put forth Jesus Christ himself, Jesus Christ will lose to a Republican if any large amount of Democrats decide that they are too offended, angry, or hurt to vote for him.

Nonein2008: my opinion is just as valid as yours. I have good reasons for wanting Obama. I believe in him as strongly as you believe in Hillary. And though I may argue either side, I try to remember that I am not personally equipped to see into the future and know, truly, who would be the better President. I, like you, can only go on what I know and my gut instincts. So we are equally valid.

[paganmist]

(cont.)

If Hillary wins, I will be just as sad and upset as her supporters will be if she loses. I will have invested money, time, energy and hope into my candidate the same way that they have. None of us are stupid for feeling strongly about our candidate - this is one of the most important decisions of our time.

But Democrats can not put forth a candidate that *every* Democrat wants. No matter who they put forward, there will be some people who will be left feeling like the "losers". That is just the simple truth. No matter who we put forward, no matter how skilled or accomplished, they *will not win* unless the Democrats on the "losing side" of the debate suck it up and vote Democrat.

I guess at the end of the day, the reason why Democrats don't win is because so many Democrats aren't willing to sacrifice their own feelings - fleeting, in the grand scheme of things - for the common good.

[bison2]

Is Hillary saying that she can get votes that she really does not have? The Democratic Party has not won the white blue collar constituency since Lyndon B. Johnson. Her husband did not win this constituency. I think the highest he ever got was 39% of this group. Humphrey, McGovern, Carter, Mondale, Dukakis, Gore, nor Kerry did well with this constituency. Just because she is winning this group against Obama, does not mean that she can win them against McCain. She sayings that she has voters that she really does not. While on the other hand, any white blue collar workers who have voted for Obama will probably vote for him in the general elections.

[sydney01]

That is a great point! Democrats never win the "white vote". It always goes to Republicans.

Plus, should she really be pandering to racists?

[hussein]

Pea brain, democrats need a significant chunk of the "white vote" to win, whether they win it or not.

[Bluejay00234]

It's interesting to me for her to claim that she would win the state in the GE, and that no nominee had ever been elected without carrying W.V, but Bush carried the state in 2004, so who's to say she would beat McCain in an GE match up? For all we know the state could go to red.

[jrterrier]

no dem candidate has won the presidency since 1916 without carrying WVA. it appears that obama has no chance of carrying WVA. she does.

[jrterrier]

the dems cannot win without substantial support from blue collar workers. bill clinton and jimmy carter did better with this group which is why they were both elected while dukakis, gore (had he won even one of the blue collar states, the FL mess wouldn't have mattered) and kerry all lost.

[oogabooga]

Obama crushed Clinton in Hawaii, about the same size as West Virginia. Yet the media ignored that devastating defeat for Clinton. If the low-income West Virginians really think that McCain will look out for them, the way Bush did, then they should vote for the Republic Party. More likely, they'll need to offer up more volunteers for the NeoCons' perpetual war to conquer the world.

[Gma11]

Ah, but you see, a lot of them aren't white!!

However, my daughter is - married to a Japanese American Hawaiian native (who's parents were basically indentured servants). Both proudly voted Obama!!

Way to go, Hawaii!!

[trbone]

WAHHHH!!! Don't criticize the messiah. You people keep talking about a lack of education on the part of Hillary supporters . What do all of you tingly legged koolaid drinkers think middle america will think when they learn that Obama is a radical leftwinger. He is far left of even old Ted Kennedy. For example , he signed a position paper saying he would ban all handguns in the US , he voted against allowing emergency medical care to babies who survive late term (third trimester) abortions , I am pro-choice but that is infanticide , he will land Air Force One in Tehran. You people don't realize this bitter partisanship shit started in the 60's when radicals took over the Democrat Party. The people who supported JFK are todays Reagan Democrats.

[PrdAmerican]

I'd like to ask...who the hell let Hilliary near a computer today??

[trbone]

lol

[flydoghead]

she thought it was a coffee machine

[McFlipFlop]

You can't even present factually correct statements.

[Aleka4]

They are really bad and particularly stupid in here this morn. NONE of them can post facts and none of them make any sense.

Frakking paid monkeys.

[08timefortruth]

Back up your claims with links.

[trbone]

You're computer savvy . Look. It's true and it's out there

[ChiGuy]

"koolaid drinkers"

Defined as:
People who blindly followed their leader to the inevitable conclusion.

Sounds like Clinton supporters to me.

[trbone]

We don't cry in our candidates presence. We don't sit or stand at our candidates command.

[ApolloniaCreed]

Actually the country has moved left of center in the past eight years... catch up.

[trbone]

Wrong just look at Childer's victory in Mississippi. To win Democrats are moving to the right.

[ChiGuy]

Uh-oh Clintonistas.....
Closing arguments have concluded and the Rezko trial has been sent to the jury for deliberation.

Obama's name was mentioned...........once.

[SanityNowPlease]

and probably only to say he wasn't involved at all.

[gappedtoothgodwarrior]

Actually to say that while he had a connection to Rezko, it wasn't one that tainted him with the corruption of Rezko.

Yep, that didn't turn out like they expected/hoped it would.

[Bluejay00234]

Awww another one bites the dust, poor things hoping for someones else's failure in order to succeed show you how much belief they have in themselves.

[NCRESIDENT]

You know what will be funny? Rezko gets off and tells how he gave money to the Clintons'. They know about him because there is a picture on the internet with them together. So she should watch quietly and concerned because that could be a twist against her.

[CocteausTwin]

Another case of those living by the sword, dying by same said sword. Sad a bit, is it not?

[Gabrielle]

Actually the longer this race goes on....the better we get to know the candidates and who votes for them....

HILLARY attracts the less educated and racist and older white females mostly...

OBAMA attracts the younger, more intellectuals in all races and gender, ACROSS THE SPECTRUM, you know the ones who USE THEIR BRAIN....

I' d rather be in the 2nd group anytime...

[paganmist]

I'm not ready to dismiss the "less educated" and "older white females" yet, Gabrielle. The racists, she can keep, as no one can save them but themselves.

But the less educated and older white females consist of two of the most vulnerable demographics in this country. These are the kinds of people that Republicans prey upon, and also the kind of people who "cling" to what they know instead of venturing outside of their sphere of comfort, even if it would be better for them in the long run.

These are the people who are for some reason comfortable with their lives, but I don't think that many of them are happy. I think many of these people are the ones who need hope most of all.

[SouthFloridaDem]

Excellent point. It's the main thrust of the book "What's the Matter With Kansas?" These are the people who continue to vote GOP even though it's against their own interests. Dems can bring them into the fold. They aren't to be abandoned.

[rjean]

you better not dismiss the less educated and older white females ....because THEY VOTE and guess what...their vote says just as much as the college educated successful folks...............and obma does VERY POORLY with the first mentioned group...in fact he should be ashamed to be the presumptive nominee and lose the way he has...

and it isnt finished...he will lose ky...quite possible montana and the dakota state as well as PR...............................

good grief.....
you folks better take a good look at this empty suit.................he is a BIG NOTHING....

[MilesTone]

Obviously those folks are not voting for Obama and they likely will not, and he "ain't" doing so bad right now.

[AtomicSplash]

ah, so when you were talking about bringing us all together you meant "us" as in the younger intellectuals who knew how to use their brain. LOL for a smart feller you sure ain't too bright.

[CocteausTwin]

I for one do not care how someone votes if they base it on stuff within this vomitorium.

[SanityNowPlease]

relax. Obama brings many white, under educated folks in to the fold. the WV Democrats are like George Wallace Democrats, which is to say, they aren't really Democrats.

just take care of your vote and vote for our Democratic nominee, no matter who that ends up being.

everything will be just fine.

[kellygrrrl]

a round of applause for Sanity!

[ohmercy]

Wow,
Nice way to be unifying the party.

and showing what an egotist you are.

You might rather, but apparently you aren't.

have a nice day.

[CocteausTwin]

Feel free to return to your Rush sweat shop.

[cruisepuppy7452a]

Obamma has already been cannonized into saint hood by everyone. Yet, what has he done to deserve it? He gives great speeches, but is he able to walk the walk? Nothing is set in stone yet folks, CFR wants Hillary in. They know what she can do, has done, would do. Obamma couldl be chosen, elected, but would he really end the war, bring home ALL of the troops, demand international tribunals to have Bush and Cheney, Rumsfeld tried for war crimes and crimes against Hummanity? Doubtful. He has a lot to prove. People will be watching him and on his back on a daily basis. he needs to put Hillary in as his running mate so he can keep her from running again in 2012. He needs her advice, clarity. If they want to be the Rove machine, oh hell yeah. If not, GOP will steal this one for sure.

[kay]

We just had a duel Presidency.

There's a reason there's no constitutional provision for it.

You end up with ideas like setting up a separate foreign policy section in the Vice President's office.

Clinton and Obama are not alike. Their foreign policy approach and whole approach to government are different, and you can see the difference when you look at the endorsements and the advisors.

[gapanther]

What has Hillary done to prove her self? You don't who she really is, she changes faces more than she changes her makeup. What has she shown she can do? Other than vote with and act like a republican? She's taken $200M in donations and is $20M in debt.and she can turn the economy around? News flash, she is not the only person in the Democratic party that can bring her voters to the table. And since Rove is more than likely going to be prosecuted over his action with the Gov of AL, why any want imulate him?

[donballz]

You think rove will be prsecuted? (he asked eagerly) do you have a source or reason for thinking this? My guess is bush will just pardon him

[rjean]

better ? is...what the hell has OBAMA DONE...

nothing....ZIP ZERO

oh wait...he listened to wright for 20+ years and hung out with terrorists....he hasnt done anything in the senate....all that bi partisan crap he spews......he has done NONE OF IT ..............................

he's wasteland........................

[ChiGuy]

"He gives great speeches, but is he able to walk the walk?"
__________________________________________

For the zillionth time on these threads I'll ask......

Please list Hilary's experience.
(Outside of giving good speeches claiming to have experience.)

[donballz]

I loved all of Hillary's speeches about how speeches are bad. I wich she would bring them back

[Aleka4]

I know right!

This one cracks me up.

For someone who "only gives speeches" WHO ran the superior campaign? Who planned and mobilized people better? Who's campaign is NOT in the red to the tune of 20mil?

Right. He shows his competence every day just by his campaign and behavior, and empty fluff heads still come on here and spout the empty suit rhetoric. Speaking of empty, that is what I consider people who don't do their research but feel they know enough enough from pundits to comment.

[08timefortruth]

Yeah right! She is a distructive vengeful person and he would have to watch his back constantly. The last thing he or this country needs is her and Bill undermining his presidency for 8 years.

[ApolloniaCreed]

He needs to do no such thing... there are others he could choose as a running mate that would do more for him in the GE. He does need to compromise with HRC... but the VP slot should not be the bargaining chip.

[Taaj]

Sowhat if Obama is close to his muslim family. Many of us are close to our christian families and look how many women and children christians has killed in the past 8 years.

It is staggering and guess what it was not 'collateral damage', it was little girls playing with their dolls and toys, and little boys riding their bikes and women nursing their babies.


NOW DISOWN YOUR FAMILY BECAUSE YOUR FAMILY SAT BACK AND WATCHED.

[ChiGuy]

What was all of that gibberish?

[SanityNowPlease]

i think she's mad about something

[SouthFloridaDem]

Just some idiot rambling.

[Aleka4]

I think it was a pathetic attempt at a muslim smear typed by a chimpanzee.

[paganmist]

I think it was a defense of Obama. Here, let me translate.

There are people who are criticizing Obama for having Muslim relatives, based on the premise that Muslims (all of them, apparently) kill people, and should be avoided at all costs.

But this is unfair, because many of us have Christian relatives, and Christianity has a vast and gory history of killing people for any number of reasons, including witchcraft, heathenism, and because Today Looks Like A Good Day to Kill Someone For the Lord, So Aim Me At Some Muslims.

These same Christians have spent the past eight years in Iraq killing innocent women and children and referring to them as "collateral damage" to diminish the fact that these were just people trying to live their lives.

So for the people who say that Barack Obama should disown his Muslim families, Taaj charges you to man up and disown your OWN family, because they - as Christians - took no steps to stop the slaughter.

Otherwise, Taaj insinuates, you are a hypocrite.

(There, Taaj. Did I get that right?)